POLOKWANE – Judge Gerrit Muller of the Polokwane High Court in Limpopo took less than half an hour to hand down judgment after a two-year wait for justice by the Komape family earlier today (Monday).

Muller dismissed the family’s claim of about R2-million for emotional shock and grief, and ordered the provincial and national departments of basic education to pay R6 000 each for future medical treatment for Michael’s two older siblings, Maria and Onica.

Read more: Boy (5) dies in school’s toilet

He also ordered the departments to supply and install sufficient and suitable toilets for children at all rural schools in Limpopo still using pit latrines.

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The have to report to the court, under cover of an affidavit, and supply a list and the locations of all schools in the province still having pit toilets, the estimated period needed to replace all current pit toilets at identified schools and a program for the replacement and commencement of the process on or before 30 July.

Section 27 and the Komape family approached the courts seeking justice after the little boy fell into the pit toilet at Mahlodumela Lower Primary School in Chebeng outside Polokwane during his first day of school four years ago. He drowned in the toilet.

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Read more about the judgment and a possible appeal in Review on Thursday.

nelie@nmgroup.co.za